Wed Feb 27 12:51:34 2008

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Rockets can make the playoffs even without Yao

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(Sports Network) - All-Star center Yao Ming is the one player Houston could not afford to lose, if it expected to have a chance to advance out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, their worst nightmare has come true. Yao will miss the rest of the year, including the postseason, because of a stress fracture in his left foot. The 7-6 big man was leading Houston in scoring (22.0 ppg), rebounding (10.8 rpg) and was shooting over 50 percent from the floor in 55 games.

The 27-year-old Yao - arguably the top center in the NBA - is a force offensively and plays solid defense. The Rockets' offense runs through him, and he is the No. 1 option when the team needs two points.

With the big man at the forefront, Houston was playing its best basketball of the season of late, and had worked itself into the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference. In addition, the Rockets were battling with Dallas, New Orleans and San Antonio for the Southwest Division crown.

It's hard to imagine the injury coming at a worse time for the Rockets, given the improvement of the team's competition.

With all of the changes that have recently occurred in the West, the already- deep conference has become all the more difficult to navigate. Jason Kidd makes Dallas a serious contender once again, the Suns hope Shaquille O'Neal will make them the team to beat in the playoffs, and the Lakers look like they may be ready to return to the NBA Finals with the addition of Pau Gasol.

You also can't forget about Denver, Golden State and Utah. The Jazz and Nuggets are battling for the top spot in the Northwest Division, while the Warriors have proven that they are not a fun team to play in the postseason, if they can qualify.

There are eight spots and nine teams that are vying for those berths. Smart money would be on Houston dropping out with the loss of Yao. Right?

Wrong!

As important as Yao was and is to the Rockets, they still have the players to get them to the playoffs. Winning a round is another story, but Houston should be able to stay in the race until the end.

Reason number one is Tracy McGrady. If McGrady, who is averaging 21.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and a team-best 5.6 assists this season, can stay healthy, the Rockets should be good enough to play meaningful basketball beyond mid-April. McGrady has had issues with his back in the past, and that has to be something that veteran head coach Rick Adelman, who is in his first year on the Houston bench, is worried about.

Still, Adelman will have to adjust Houston's style of play based on McGrady's strengths, and may go to more of an up-tempo approach. The Rockets were difficult to deal with in a half-court setting because of Yao, but with that style no longer as strong an option, it would be beneficial for Adelman to encourage his team to run and become more effective in transition.

Point guard Rafer Alston would definitely benefit in a more fast-paced kind of game, while Shane Battier, who is Houston's best perimeter defender, would also do fine and has the ability to score if needed. The recent addition of Bonzi Wells and Mike James actually work in this style of play.

When the situation dictates, the Rockets need to become the Warriors of 2006-07 - small ball is the way to go. Veteran center Dikembe Mutombo, who is Yao's backup, can't log the big minutes anymore, but he would allow Adelman to change the tempo of the game when he is on the court. Adelman needs to be creative if the Rockets want to remain in the thick of the playoff race.

The remaining schedule is challenging but not insurmountable. Four of the Rockets' 25 remaining games are against below-.500 Eastern Conference teams, and 13 of their total contests will be played within the friendly confines of the Toyota Center. Houston will face Dallas, New Orleans and San Antonio a total of four times, and if it can steal a game or two against those powers, both confidence and valuable playoff position can be gained.

Keeping McGrady healthy and becoming a fast-break type of team will be the keys to success for Houston. Believe it or not, all is not lost even with Yao on the sidelines.

NICE BLOCK FOR DALLAS

The Dallas Mavericks signed free agent center Jamaal Magloire to a contract on Tuesday. Magloire played 24 games for New Jersey this season, and averaged just 1.8 points and 3.4 rebounds before being waived by the team. In 2004 with New Orleans, Magloire was selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

Magloire was a disappointment for the Nets, but he would have been worth the gamble for the Rockets with the loss of Yao. Dallas kept Houston from having a chance at signing a center who has had success in the league in the past. The 6-11 Magloire will be a reserve with the Mavericks, and will most likely not see much playing time.